While I respect Beyonce—she did produce the best music video of 2009—I always get a sense of foreboding when the Philadelphia Union take the field in their Sasha Fierce outfits. The matte gold jerseys and socks just don’t fit the team or city’s personality: too fussy and ostentatious. And when the team’s play doesn’t sparkle luxurious-like—and it certainly didn’t during Wednesday’s 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids—the guys just appear delicate and foolish. Not a…
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As the season draws to a close, we have seen the fortunes of the team rise and fall.  We’ve seen missteps and triumphs, heroism and fuck-uppery alike.  All the while, the season has felt very much like an audition for each of the men given the honor of rocking the blue and gold.  Some have stood out, for better or worse.  Others have yet to make their mark.  With all that in mind, PUT would…
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As if Chivas needed yet another reason to feel bad about themselves, the Union destroyed any remaining scraps of dignity that the fanless, homeless orphan of MLS may have had- in our first official ass-kicking. On paper, this game is nothing special.  A good team beat a shitty one, 3-0.  This is not unexpected in soccer. But for us, the Union faithful, the Chivas game actually ranks among the many precious milestones that the year…
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Continuing our accidental series on how every other stadium experience blows compared to li’l ol’ PPL, yet another fan writes to us concerning just how hard we U fans go.  We’re sure many of you are Phillies fans, and you’ll want to rebut, so feel free. The Union has ruined baseball for me. I’ll tell you why. My brother and I have season tickets for the Union. We sit in the River End. I have…
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A battle of the goalkeepers resulted in another painful away defeat for the Union.  Knighton, starting again in place of Seitz, came up huge to stop a number of blistering attempts by the Quakes, but his counterpart at the other end of the pitch did the same.  The difference between the two was an artful header by Chris Wondoloski, bonked in perfectly from an Arturo Alavez cross in the 69th.  The eyes of the Union…
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It had to happen- with new teams being created left and right, MLS has been forced to beef up the 2011 schedule accordingly.  Next season, there will be 34 games in 32 weeks, and screw international competitions- there will be no breaks or hiatus for CONCACAF or any other tournaments.  This will be interesting for several reasons.  First, it means that of course we get to cheer on our beloved Union 4 more times than…
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Our own little “phinally”- for the first time, our team has lasted the whole 90+ without giving up a goal.  But what makes this an especially significant event is the potential implications for the only two guys on the team who can use their hands. We have been riding the emotional roller coaster that is Chris Seitz for nigh an entire season, with the exception of friendlies and one forgettable sick day for the starting…
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Philadelphia Union players took the field against the Kansas City Wizards on Saturday bolstered by a gutsy come-from-behind win over the New England Revolution and a mid-week smack-down of Mexican powerhouse Chivas Guadalajara. In spite of injuries to Fred and Eduardo Cuadet, the experienced midfielders (read: geezers) who usually orchestrate the Union attack, the guys looked confident, dangerous. Perhaps Justin Mapp and Jack McInerney’s recent form has given the rest of the blue and gold…
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Number 24 in our 24-man roster has arrived, completing our crew for the time being.  Sheanon Williams comes straight from the farm, being a Harrisburg City Islander.  Before that, Williams was a United States U-17 World Cup player in both Korea and Egypt. The Union can add two more players to the roster, provided they are both home-grown locals, but otherwise the dance card is full. It appears that defense is still the top priority…
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We’ve been compared to English fans in our ferocity, and Seattle fans in our proud defiance of America’s soccer-phobia. Thanks to the fans, PPL Park (itself a testament to our devotion) has become the new Mecca of American soccer. If you don’t believe us, look elsewhere in MLS- our commitment shames cities whose clubs have longer histories and better records. Below, a southern Union fan describes the view from the other side of the fence,…
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